Colostomy device



Feb, 6, 1951 R, B, DEAHL 2,540,777

COLOSTOMY DEVICE Filed May 27, 1949 Illing 0552 7' DEA Hz.,

INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES; PATENT ortica COLOSIIZ'IZLEVICE Robert. Deahl, Goshen, Ind. ApplioationMay 2.1, 1949, Serial No. 95,821

6' Claims'. l

This invention relates` to improvements in colostomy devices, and, particularly to a device of this character usable by a person Ivvho has. undergone a colostomy operation,l in connection with. the performance oi a colonic irrigation.`

Persons who have. undergone, colostomy operations usually require colonic irrigations at regular. intervals. Such irrigations are rather diiiicult for the patient to perform b-y the-means. presently available. Thus irrigation, discharge incident to peristalsis,A commonly results in splattering of the discharge material which creates a disagreeable: condition. -For this reason someA physicians recommend that an individual assume a seated position ina batlfitubl during theY irrigating operation. Some; devices: to avoid such a condition have been developed, but all. have had some disadvantage which has made use thereof ditcult, or has failed` in some respectv to, satisfy all requirements for a practical and satisfactory dev-ice.

The primary object of this invention is to pro,` vide a devicev whichv is easy to apply and to use, which is eeetive tor its intended'purpose and overcomes the difficulties aforementioned,i which fits. naturally to the body, and which is easy to clean.

A further object is to. provideV a colostomy device which enables a person to perform a colonic irrigation WhileV seated in a comfortable position with the hands free.A

A further object is to provide a colostomy device which may be `worn during colonic irrigation, which controls and guides the discharge. from the irrigation while the patient is in a com-l fortably seated position, which can be ilushed and at, least partially cleaned while it; is.v being worn and which facilitates manipulation, ot a. cathetertherethrough and is readily sealed upon removal of thel catheter from the catheter receiving, opening.4

Other objects will be ing specification.

Inh theA drawing:

lFig. 1 is a view tion.V

Eig. 2. is a vertical transverse sectional view of the device taken on line 2-2 of Fig.. 1 and illus,- trating a slig tly modified embodiment thereol.

Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment. of the invention` the numeral I 0 designates a backing plate or member which is" preferably formador rubberized fabric and is cneracterired by an emerged `central por apparent from the followof the device in front eleva.-

tion of substantially circular project two end ter;

outline, from which portions I2 of elongatedr charac- The backing plate is elongatedA and may be,

shaped substantially as iuustrated in Fig. rg,

wherein the terminal' or arm portions l2 arev of slightly greater width than, the neck portions Njl which connect said arm portions to the generally circular central portion. The backing plate may' be formed of hard rubber, sheet metal, rigid f1ber. board, or any other material found suitable, and;A preferably a material which is strong,v easy tov clean, and resistant to water.` A pad Iii is secured to the central enlarged portion I0 of the plata The pad I`6 may be formedof any material found suitable,J and in the preferred form constitutes A a, disk` of soft rubber of substantially the same.,

size as the centralportion I0 of the backing plate., Alternatively, the pad may be Vformed from sponge. rubber, or may be acushion constituting a. iiexibl'ev envelope and a filler. In each instance, howevern it is preferred. that the padshall be waterproof so that it may be cleaned easily. The pad may be, secured to. one, surface of the. plate I0. by any suitable means. Thus, where Soft rubber or` sponge rubber used,y the same. may be cemented to the surface of the plate I0.

At the surface. of the plate which the. pad LB is secured, is secured a second, elongated panel or strap. I8 as shown in Fig. 1,. The panelA I8 may be stitched, stapled cemented or otherwise secured to the plate It), and. its longitud-inal center line preferably substantially co incides with the longitudinal center line of the backing member Ille-I4.. 'Ihe ends of the. panel I8, preferablyY terminate in; hooks; or loops 2,0. spaced from the outer ends. oi the portions. I2 of the backing Plate and adjacent. to the restricted portions, I4. Alternatively, a pair of straps on brackets I9. as best illustrated, in l'ig` 3, maybe cemented, stitched or otherwise secured to plate, t0: in spaced relation, as at the reduced portions I4 of the backing plate, which straps or brackets,- are provided with loop portions 20'. An eye member 2'2, which may be of substantially D.

IU opposite that to 1 shape or semi-circular construction` as illus,

trated, has a straight run or portion 2IIA thereof pivotally received within the hook or loop- 20. or 20 as the case, may be, to be retained thereby and to be. free to swing about its run 24 as an axis. The eyes 22 are. adapted to cooperate with and be. engaged by the hooks, 26 forming parts of buckles or xtures 28 which are anchored upon the. opposits ends ot a, belt 30.. The belt is adapted to pass. armiricl4 je waist of tbe user and to. be quickly and c with colostomy dev e by engagement of the hooks 26 with the eyes 22 upon the device, las will be apparent. Observe in this connectionl that the laterally projecting arm portions I2 of the backing plate bear against the buckles or ttings 23 and protect the user against the discomfortof contact of such buckles with the skin. In other words, the backing plate has a large flat smooth surface area which is engage- ,able with the body and prevents the application of a concentrated pressure at any pointgof the body except through the pad, Iand also tends to prevent the possibility that the skin of the user will be pinched during the application and Wearing of the device.

A hollow elongated member 32 is secured to and carried by the backing members I3 and I8 substantially centrally of said backing members. The member 32 is preferably formed from rubber or other flexible waterproof material and, in the preferred form, is made from molded rubber. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the member 32 is preferably substantially oval, as illustrated in Fig. 3, for the major portion of its length'to provide a substantially flat rear wall portion 34 and front wall portion 36. The rear wall 34 is secured to the plate I8 in face engagement therewith, as by means of a cement or other agent for bonding the container to the plate, although any other means found suitable may be employed to secure the member 32 to the plate I8 in the Fig. 1 embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the rear wall 34. is cemented, bonded or otherwise secured to the backing plate I between the brackets I3. It willbe observed in both the Fig. 1 and the Fig. 2 embodiments that the points of anchorage of the Vwall 34 of the member 32 to itssupport are located at the upper end of the member 32 so that the member 32 vdepends from the plate IIl-,-I4. The upper end of the member 32 is closed by aY topv Wall 38 preferably integrally formed with the member .32 as by molding of` said member. VAlso in the preferred form, the lower portionY of the member 32 is of restricted size at 38 and has an opening 40 at its lower end through which the contents of the memberv32 may be discharged by gravity, the member 3.2 thus resembling the shape of aninverted bottle. The restriction of the size of the member 32 at itslower end is preferred but not essential and, where used, serves to facilitate the suspension of the member 32 between the legs of the user.

inasmuch as the member 32 is preferably formed of molded rubber or other iieXible material having a tendency to collapse unless sup-y ported, it is desirable to provide some means therein to shape the device and prevent collapse or flattening thereof. Such means can be provided as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and may constitute a sheet of metal or other rigid material 42 bent into C-shape and tting within the upper portion of the member 32, as best .Y

shown in Fig. 2. This C-shaped metal member may be cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the walls of said member, and especially where formed of metalY will be provided with a coating of protective material (not shown) such as a layer of rubber. Such a rubber layer is used to prevent the possibility of corrosion or rusting of the metal and also to facilitate the cleaning of the interior of the device.

l,A fitting 44, preferably ,in the nature of a nipis mountedin the topofthe member .32,mand,

"shown,'th'e top 38'-..i's lprovided witha central aperture. Spaced flanges 46 upon the inner end of the nipple provide a circumferential groove within which the portion of the top 38 surrounding the nipple receiving hole in the top 38 fits snugly. A suitable bonding agent or cement may be employed to hold the nipple in its proper position. The nipple projects upwardly above the member 32 and is adapted for detachable connection of a rubber or other flexible and extensible tube therewith, such as the tube 48 illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

An opening 53 is formed in the device and extends through the backing plate I0, the pad I6, and the wall 34 of the member 32. It will also be understood that in the event the member 4 2 is of continuous oval construction rather than C-shape construction as illustrated in Fig. 3, the opening 50 will likewise extend therethrough if said member 42 is positioned at the level shown in Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that when the device is applied Yto the body of the user, the opening 50 will register with the colostomy tube in the body and will place the interior of the member 32 in communication with that colostomy tube. The opening 50 will preferably be of a size sufficiently large to contact the body space outwardly from the colostomy tube.

An opening 52 is formed in thefront wall 35 of the member 32 preferably in substantial alignment with the opening 50 and is of substantially the same size as the opening 50. As here illustrated, the opening 52 also is formed in the member 42. A closure plug 54 is adapted to t in and seal the opening 52, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This plug is preferably formed of rubf ber or other suitable flexible or yielding material and may have a small circumferential bead or lip 56 formed at its inner end and an enlarged flange 58 formed at its outer end so that the plug will hold itself in place in the opening 52, being positioned by the seating of its central portion between the bead 56 and the flange 58 Vwithin the4 opening 52. A lug 60 may project from the plug, as at its center, and be apertured to receive a swivel link 62 to which is secured one end of a flexible cord, chain or cable 64. The opposite end of the member 64 will preferably be secured to a ring 66 encircling the nipple 42 and rotatable thereon, said ring as here illustrated preferably being provided with a proecting eye 68 to which the member 64 may be anchored.

In the use of the device, assuming or belt of proper length to ntthe girth of the user is provided, the device may be applied by engaging the hooks 23 with the eyes 22. The pad I5 will be in Contact with the body and will cushion the contact of the device with the body. The terminal portions I2 of the backing plate will preferably contact the body in laterally spaced relation to the central portion IU thereof. As mentioned previously, the aperture 53 will be located in registering cr centering relation to the colostomy tube in thebody. The member 32 suspended freely from the front face of the backing plate and extends below the colostomy tube. When the belt is passed around the body and the device is connected withthe body, the user may freely assume a seated position with the member' 22 suspended between his legs.

In performing the colonic irrigation operation, the patient assumes a seated position, as upon a toilet seat, and grasps a catheter, shown fragmentarily at lil, which is connected at the endoi aflexible tube i2 in turn connected toa sourcev of Y that a strap Y elevated liquid container; They tube may have mounted slidably thereon a disk 14 formed of rubber or the like andl provided with a smail central opening having a snug nt upon the tube buty accommodating sliding of the disk. upon the tube. The plug 54 will have been removed from the opening 5i!` and will be freely suspended from the nipple by means of the cable or cord 64 which will'v preferably be of such length that the plug will be positioned adjacent to the opening 52` but may be swung laterally to a position-clear of the opening' 512. The catheter is then inserted through the openings 52 and 5U and into the colostomy tube inthe manner well understood byl physicians and' colostomy patients, and the disk 14 is urged intoflat face engagement with the front wall 36 of the member 32 to close and span the opening 52. The catheter lo and. tube 'l2 will each preferably be of a size substantially smaller than the size of the openings 58 and 52 to fit freely therein, as illustrated in FIg. 3, and the disk 14 will be of a size larger than the opening 52 so that it spans. said opening and provides an effective seal therefor. When the parts are thus positioned, the supply of' liquid through the tube and thecatheter to perform the irrigation may commence.

After the required amount of liquid has passed through the tube and the catheter and into the colostomy tube in the body so as to complete the initial portion of the irrigation operation, the catheter '1B will be removed from the colostomy tube. The user can remove the tube with one hand and can grasp the plug 54 in the other hand, holding the plug 54 ready for insertion into the opening 52 as soon as the catheter has been removed. The insertion of the plug 54 closes the member 32 so that the material discharged is confined within the member 32 and permitted to pass therefrom only in a downward direction for discharge through the bottom opening 5i) and the danger of splattering incident to the discharge pressure is completely overcome. lt will also be apparent that, after the irrigation operation has been performed or while it is being :J'

performed and before the device is removed from the body, the tube 48 which has been connected with a faucet or other source of liquid, preferably separate from the source with which the tube 12 is connected, may have liquid discharged therethrough for the purpose of iiushing the interior of the member 32. Such procedure is optional, however, and the flushing operation to clean the interior of the member 32 may be performed after the device has been removed. It will be observed in the latter connection that the device, by ,reason of its bottom or lower end opening 49 and, additionally, its registering openings 5U and 52, provides ready access to its interior for cleaning purposes.

It will be apparent from the above that all of the difficulties and inconveniences inherent in' the performing of colonic irrigation by a colostomy patient are overcome. The patient is enabled to assume a comfortable and natural seats' ed position and, except during the intake of the irrigation' iluid when it is desirable to hold the catheter and its tube 12, the hands are completely free. There is no need tohold the container or other discharge barrier as has been necessary heretofore in performing an irrigation. Furthermore, it will be apparent that by the use of the backing plate and the positioning thereof flat against the body, the device will` assume and maintainjits proper position at all times and will be held effectively against any tendency to tilt away from the body due to the suspended weight oi' the member 32. The member 32 in turn, even though formed of flexible or other material norL mally incapable of holding its shape, is extended at all times by the support 42 thereof so that the free discharge of irrigation through the member 32 will not be restricted. 1'

While the construction and embodiment of the invention herein` illustrated is preferred, it will be apparent that the construction of the device may be changed within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofv the invention..

I claim:

1. A colostomy device comprising a backing member, a pad secured to `said member at one face thereof, an elongated vertical hollow mem'- ber secured to the opposite face of said member at the upper end of one wall portion of thel hollow member, said hollow member having a dis'- charge opening at its bottom and inner and outer access openings arranged in substantial alignment at its upper end portion, said backing member and pad each having an opening therethrough aligned and communicating with said inner access opening, a releasable closure for said outer opening, portions of said backing member projecting laterally relative to said hollow o member and attachment means connected to the projecting portions of said backing member.

2. A colostomy device comprising a backing member, a pad secured to said backing at one face thereof, an elongated vertical hollow member secured to the opposite face of said backing member at the upper end of one wall portion of the hollow member, said hollow member having a discharge opening at its bottom and inner and outer access openings arranged in substantial alignment at its upper end portion, said backing member and pad each having an opening therethrough aligned and communicating with said inner access opening, said hollow member being formed of flexible material, and a reinforcing member carried by the upper end of said hollow member adjacent to said access openings said reinforcing member stiflening and shaping` the upper part of the hollow member.

3. A colostomy device comprisinga backingmember, a pad secured to said backing at one face thereof, an elongated vertical hollow member secured to the opposite face of said backing member at the upper end of one wall portion of the hollow member, said hollow member having a discharge opening at its bottom and inner and outer access openings arranged in substantial alignment at its upper end portion, said backing member and pad each having an opening therethrough aligned and communicating with said inner access opening, said hollow member being collapsible, and a rigid reinforcing member carried by and tting within the upper end of said hollow member to shape said hollow member and to space the portions thereof in which said access openings are formed.

4. A colostomy device comprising an apertured backing member, attachment means carried by said backing member, a Vflexible hollow member secured at its upper portion to said backing member and depending therefrom, said hollow member being vertically elongated and having an aperture communicating with said backing aperture, an access aperture spaced from and aligned with said first apgrture and a drain opening at its lower end. and a reinforcing member jacent said apertures, said reinforcing member being positioned at the level of said apertures,

and having at least one'aperture therein communicating with an aperture of said hollow member. .-f 5. A colostomy device comprising an apertured backing member, attachment means carried by said' backing member at the front face thereof, a flexible hollow member secured at its upper portion to'said backing member at the fro-nt face thereof between said attachment means and depending vfrom said backing member, said hollow member being vertically elongated and `having an aperture communicating with said plate aperture, an access aperture spaced from and aligned with said first aperture and a drain opening at its lower end, and a reinforcing member carried by and stiiening said hollow member adjacent said having a top wall, by said top wall and communicating interior of said member.

6. A colostomy device comprising an apertured backing member, attachment means carried by said backing member, a flexible hollow member and a tubular tting carried with the apertures, said hollow member secured at its upper portion to said backing member' and depending therefrom, said hollow member being vertically elongated and having an ap- 'erture communicating with said backing aperture, an access aperture spaced from and aligned with said first aperture and a drain opening at itglower end, a reinforcing member carried by and stilening said hollow member adjacent said pertures, said hollow member having a top wall, a tubular fitting carried by said top wall and communicating with the interior of said member, a releasable closure for said access opening, and a exible member connecting said tting and closure.

ROBERT B. DEAHL;

REFERENCES CITED 'Ihe following references are of record in the [ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Porcell May 1l, 1948 

